Using a Preferred Name
What is a Preferred First Name?
Northern Essex Community College recognizes that some students may prefer to choose a first name that is different than their legal name. NECC will permit any student to identify themselves in multiple student and administrative systems with a preferred name in addition to their legal first name as long as the use of a preferred first name is not for an improper purpose. Anyone is welcome to use a preferred first name wherever a legal name is not required on internal documents, communications, systems, and web portals.
Use of Preferred First Name
Students are able to add a preferred first name to their student information profile by submitting a Preferred First Name Request to update their information. This update can be made on the Admissions Application, Registration Form or in the myNECC Portal on the Personal Information tab. A preferred first name will appear on:
- Class Rosters
- Student schedules
- Blackboard
- Student email
- Navigate
- Student ID cards
- Diplomas and Honor Certificates (upon request)
Students who make an update to their preferred first name through the myNECC Portal will receive immediate notification of the submittal. Full approval of an update to a preferred first name can take 7 business days or more and students will only be notified if the name has not been approved. In the event that a preferred first name is not displaying correctly, please contact the Registrar’s Office.
Disclaimer
The College reserves the right to approve or disapprove preferred first name change requests.
Required Use of Legal First Name
A student’s legal name shall be used on all College documents, systems, and communications external to the College and where a legal name is required. This includes, but not limited to:
- Financial aid records
- Student account records
- Student personally identifiable information
- Payroll records
- Student directory information
- Official transcripts
- Federal immigration documents
- Other documents required by law
Declaring a preferred first name does not change a student’s legal name. Legal first names can only be changed on NECC records when a student pursues a legal name change with state and/or federal authorities and then submits that documentation to the Office of Enrollment Services. Changing Your Legal Name or Other Biographical Data
Students with a preferred first name on a College ID card are encouraged to obtain a legal State ID, driver’s license, international ID, and/or a Federal Passport for identity verification purposes when needed.
If the use of a preferred first name is for an improper purpose, including but not limited to misrepresentation, fraud, or attempting to avoid a legal obligation, a student may be referred to the Office of Community Standards for possible student conduct violation.